Sixteen years ago, a plague wiped out nearly
all of humanity. The Company’s vaccine stopped the virus’s spread, but society
was irrevocably changed. Those remaining live behind impenetrable city walls,
taking daily doses of virus suppressant and relying on The Company for
continued protection. They don’t realize that everything they’ve been told is a
lie…Clover Donovan
didn’t set out to start a revolution—quiet, autistic, and brilliant, she’s
always followed the rules. But that was before they forced her into service for
the Time Mariners. Before they condemned her brother to death, compelling him
to flee the city to survive. Before she discovered terrifying secrets about The
Company.

Clover and the
Freaks, her ragtag resistance group, are doing their best to spread the
rebellion and stay under The Company’s radar. But when their hideout is
discovered, they are forced, once again, to run. Only this time, The Company
has special plans for Clover, plans that could risk her life and stop the
uprising in its tracks…

Review:

Shaunta Grimes has definitely delivered with
this second book. Clover has captured my attention yet again.

I love
how this book is thought out and not rushed. Everything is well planned in it.
Starting and carrying through a rebellion takes work and lots of forethought. I
don't think there was one thing that I thought of that the characters didn't in
their planning. And I think that's important here. You can't just wake up
and overthrow anything. It's quite a delicate procedure and you get a beautiful
understanding of that in this book. Some people might think it's a bit drawn
out but here isn't not going to make you stop reading. It made me want to
continue reading just to find out what happens.

Clover.
She has yet again captured my attention. To see her grow in this book was
amazing. She pushes herself, even to her own limits, to get done what is
needed. Her mind is an extraordinary thing in itself and I imagine Grimes has
had experience or done her research quite well. With her autism she makes this
book. I don't think anyone els could have done this.

The
uncertainty of everything is like a weight you can actually feel. Right along
with the urgency of needing to flee and stay. The rush of help is so welcoming,
and unexpected, I took a sigh of relief with West and Leanne as they came into
view.

A book
has to be one helluva book for me to be excited about a fictional rebellion. I
cannot wait for the next one. I have to find out what happens to Clover once
she leaves to try and save everyone else. I have to know what happens to the
Freaks!

After a virus claimed nearly the entire global population, the world
changed. The United States splintered into fifty walled cities where the
surviving citizens clustered to start over. The Company, which ended the plague
by bringing a life-saving vaccine back from the future, controls everything.
They ration the scant food and supplies through a lottery system, mandate daily
doses of virus suppressant, and even monitor future timelines to stop crimes
before they can be committed.

Brilliant but
autistic, sixteen-year-old Clover Donovan has always dreamed of studying at the
Waverly-Stead Academy. Her brother and caretaker, West, has done everything in
his power to make her dream a reality. But Clover’s refusal to part with her
beloved service dog denies her entry into the school. Instead, she is drafted
into the Time Mariners, a team of Company operatives who travel through time to
gather news about the future.

When one of
Clover’s missions reveals that West’s life is in danger, the Donovans are
shattered. To change West’s fate, they’ll have to take on the mysterious
Company. But as its secrets are revealed, they realize that the Company’s rule
may not be as benevolent as it seems. In saving her brother, Clover will face a
more powerful force than she ever imagined and will team up with a band
of fellow misfits and outsiders to incite a revolution that will change their
destinies forever.

Review:

How doesn't love an end of the world book
that's perfectly plausible? Something as simple as a virus could be the near
end of life as we know it. And then add in a bit if time travel and you have an
awesome set up for possible survival and knowledge of the future.

Viral
Nation was outstanding. It full of adventure and mystery that leave to guessing
until you turn the page. The characters have some depth that you only learn
more about as their journey continues. Clover, West, and Jude are the center of
this story and you follow right along with them.

I
loved how much detail Grimes went into with the layout and description of the
walled city. It gave a perspective point for different events and I thought
that was important. Not only was the description of the city on point, the
suppressant, clothing, identity traits and even the Veronica were all detailed
enough that I wasn't just thinking about a person where clothes or a general
vaccine.

Honestly,
what I honk made this story was Clover. She is an amazing girl who has learned
how to deal with herself and not let to get the best of her. Even though she
depends on her brother a lot, she takes pride in herself for being able to do
somethings on her own. Her dog Mango, a service dog, adds his own importance to
her and this the story. He is just as important as she is. Clover has Autism.
And her quirks and analytical thinking about everything, sometimes more than
necessary, adds to this more then you can imagine. Her mind and how she works
makes this story. And I loved it.

I
cannot wait for Rebel Nation. I have to have more of Clover and her amazing
self. This was full of adventure, some love, a little heart break and a
yearning for more that I can't quite explain.

Jul 29, 2014

Likes: My favorite colors
are blue, green, and gold. I love surfing, swimming, hockey, and hanging out
with my best friend just chilling on the beach. I also love cupcakes and bacon.
I like to be spontaneous and go where the moment takes me. I love music. I like
the feel of sand between my toes, and that first step into the ocean when your
skin sucks it up like oxygen. I love salt crusting on my lips when I’m on my
surfboard and it’s just the wave and me. I like summer, lightning storms, and
swimming at night. I like to be free.

Dislikes:
Bullies. Math. Political agendas.

The coronation is over.But the battle has just begun. Nerissa Marin has won her crown. But can she keep it? Already, her ties to the human realm are driving a wedge between Nerissa and her people. When word arrives that her part-human prince consort, Lo, has been poisoned, she makes the difficult choice to leave Waterfell and return landside. As the royal courts debate her decision, even more disturbing rumors surface: a plot is rising against her, led by someone she least expects. On land, Nerissa learns another shocking truth: Lo does not remember who she is. As her choice to try to save him threatens her hold on her crown, changing loyalties and uncertainty test her courage in ways she could never have imagined. Nerissa will have one last chance to prove herself as a queen …and save the undersea kingdom she loves.

AMALIE HOWARD grew up on a small Caribbean island where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or being a tomboy running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. 22 countries, surfing with sharks and several tattoos later, she has traded in bungee jumping in China for writing the adventures she imagines instead. She isn’t entirely convinced which takes more guts.She is the author of several young adult novels critically acclaimed by Kirkus, PW, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Spring 2014 Kid’s INDIE NEXT title. Her debut novel, Bloodspell, was an Amazon bestseller and a Seventeen Magazine Summer Read. As an author of color and a proud supporter of diversity in fiction, her articles on multicultural fiction have appeared in The Portland Book Review and on the popular Diversity in YA blog. She currently resides in New York with her husband and three children. Visit her at www.amaliehoward.com.

Jul 28, 2014

Title: The
Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and The Fall of Imperial Russia

Author: Candace
Fleming

Publisher: Schwartz
& Wade

Publication Date:
7.8.2014

Pages: Candace
Fleming

Genre: Non-Fiction

Series: N/A

Source: ARC
from ALA

Rating: 4
Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Here is the tumultuous, heartrending, true story of the Romanovs—at once
an intimate portrait of Russia's last royal family and a gripping account of
its undoing. Using captivating photos and compelling first person accounts,
award-winning author Candace Fleming (Amelia Lost;The Lincolns)
deftly maneuvers between the imperial family’s extravagant lives and the plight
of Russia's poor masses, making this an utterly mesmerizing read as well as a
perfect resource for meeting Common Core standards.

Review:

I
love me some young adult fiction, but sometimes? Sometimes real life is even
more twisted and dramatic than anything an author can dream up. Take THE FAMILY
ROMANOV, for example. This family has incited man-hunts that still exist today
for the long-lost Anastasia, movies deals, book deals, and endless amounts of
deliberation.

Mostly
I am a fiction fanatic, but occasionally I like to read a non-fiction. The
Romanov family has always intrigued me. What I especially liked about the way
Candace Fleming wrote this book is that it read more times than not like a
novel, not a textbook.

It’s
easy to recount the history of the Romanovs and the rebellion that ultimately
led to the slaughter of an entire royal family, but Fleming does a great job to
include an audience that might be turned off by textbook-esque facts and slowly
spinning the tale of their demise. It’s hauntingly poignant.

Yes,
this book is mostly non-fiction, but just Google the Romanov’s and tell me you
aren’t curious. I dare you.

Giveaway:

Random House has generously donated a finished copy of this book for me to giveaway. Winner must have a US/CA mailing address. Simply comment below to be entered. Giveaway ends 8/6/2014

After serving out a year of hard labor in the
salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien
is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one
condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal
assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across
the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her
opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years
and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the
captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored
stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince
starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems
to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up
dead... quickly followed by another.

Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before
she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her
to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Review:

Sarah J. Maas is a master at her craft. This
book just blew me away. I caught myself gasping, whispering to myself "oh
no", and getting mad along with the characters. I was definitely surprised
by the turn of events.

The characters in this book are so amazing and
have such depth that you can almost talk to them. Celaena is by far my
favorite, as she should be. Maas did an amazing job getting you in her head,
letting you in her heart. You think you know her, how she is, how she will
react to something and then BAM! Your blown away by her. You begin to feel her
scars and blush with her at the same time. Dorian and Chaol are no different.
All of their personalities are so different yet you can relate and understand
them and who they are. I love them all.

Maas has an eye for details. All of the little
things she describes and inputs make this story that much more real. Exactly
how Celaena was when she left camp, the fires, the glass castle, and the
landscape give the perfect mental image and portray what Maas is giving you. I
don't want to give to much away.

What I love most is Celaena's journey. How her
priorities change and her heart seems to grow out of no where. And the hint of
something deeper that she is keeping quiet and hidden. Also, the king. There
are just question marks popping up all around and makes you weary for Celaena.

Maas has created an adventurous, mysterious tale
that leaves you clueless, happy, hopeful and excited for what's to come.

Jul 25, 2014

Welcome to the third edition of Blogger Anonymous. Not quite so anonymous, but definitely a place where people (mainly me, but feel free to join in), post about issues and drama that is currently plaguing me pertaining to blogging and books and reading.So let's talk about a subject currently burning my biscuits: Fifty Shades of Book Shaming.I've been an avid reader all of my life, ever since I figured out how to sound words out and have them make sense. I've always been that girl with her nose stuck in a book. The girl who was just as likely to sit at the lunch table reading as she was to chat with her besties.Around high school, I felt this ... shift in my reading. I remember reading a Sweet Valley High novel (one that I had actually re-read several times) before class started and a classmate sat down next to me and posed the, "What are you reading?" question. I flipped the book around so she could see the cover and was met with a small smile and a nose wrinkle.A freaking nose wrinkle. Like I was an adorable little sister who just didn't get it. She leaned over and proceeded to pull out a Stephen King novel that was easily five times the size of my SVH one and leaned back in her chair and started reading, making sure to angle the cover towards me.

Hint, hint, Hannah. Time to grow up.That was my first taste at someone judging my reading. So I did what any normal teenage bookaholic would do - I went to the library and checked out some Agatha Christie, Stephen King, and (because I had enjoyed the mini-series) Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. I made it about halfway through Agatha. Stephen and I got pretty close over bonding with a psycho clown, but even that was ... weird. As for Larry and Lonesome Dove, well it wasn't the same as what I had seen on TV and I knew it wasn't the book for me when one of the prostitutes described a guy's business as a shriveled carrot with the roots attached.

But I felt confident whipping that book out of my JanSport backpack before class. Even if instead of devouring a book a day I was lucky to sludge through a chapter. It didn't matter because now I was reading like an adult.Albeit an unhappy one who developed an aversion to carrots (seriously, I don't eat them anymore). This went on for a few years where I secretly read my Francine Pascal fluffy goodness in secret while keeping a dusty stack of "age appropriate" material on my nightstand. Towards the end of high school and college I found a new genre to sink into.Christian Fiction.Being raised in a very Christian family (and being Christian myself) this was the perfect medium. I loved finding essentially clean, adult books. I wasn't all that into the sexy scenes back then - give me some kissing and emotionally vulnerable moments and I was golden. I still maintain that these are some of my favorite authors: Tracie Peterson, Dee Henderson, Deanne Gist, Terri Blackstock, Lori Wick ... These women can write romance like you wouldn't believe. And I bought these books by the series, eagerly reading everything I could.Until one day, I was sitting in the break room at work reading and a coworker walks in and asks the question: "Whatcha reading?"I show her the cover. Cue another nose wrinkled, but this time with a question: "What's that about?"I hand over the book so she can read the back cover because I suck at summarizing plots out loud when put on the spot. I seriously kinda fangirl and flail and screech, "It's good! There's kissing! And I love it! And you should READ IT!"But after a second she hands it back and does the sucking-air-through-teeth thing with a wince. "I didn't know you were so ... religious." She set the book down and high tailed it out of the room.

I froze for a few seconds, trying to figure out a reply, but she left. I mean, yes, I am religious, but I wasn't going to start a prayer circle around her by myself. Or start preaching. But suddenly, my "safe" books didn't feel safe. They came with judgement. Again.I went through these cycles for years. Yes, I found my way back to YA but it was sudden;y more acceptable because Stephenie Meyer made it so. She (along with a lot of other authors) made Young Adult something that was accessible and ground-breaking and compelling. The tiny little mass-market paperbacks of 200 pages were replaced by gargantuan novels that were 300-400 pages of hardbacked brilliance. But even still, I carry around a book and sometimes, I still get the, "What are you reading?" accompanied by the wince and pity look. Because clearly an adult reading young adult fiction is means I am somehow lacking something in my life that makes me stuck in the teenage past. Or I'm an idiot.

No. That's not it.Whatever.Now it seems people are switching their focus from adults reading YA to the Fifty Shades craze currently taking over the world. I am reading tweets, facebook posts, and articles criticizing people who read this series, fanfiction, the unrealistic way it portrays relationships, the BDSM aspect that is borderline abuse ... Can we all just stop for a second?No matter what your stance on Fifty Shades of Grey, E.L. James, fan fiction, here are a few things to consider:1. Fifty Shades of Grey may not be your kind of book but it is someone's kind of book. So if you don't like people judging what you read, you have no place to judge what they read. Critique/review the work, fine. But not the reader. Reading is just starting to be cool again, let's not send people scurrying back under the covers with their books.2. Ana and Christian do have an unrealistic relationship. She's a shy, wallflower virgin and he's a 27 year old tycoon. And they fall in love. And do ... things. So, what exactly is the problem with this? That a 27 year old can be that successful? That a gorgeous guy would go for a quiet wallflower? It's called fiction for a reason. I don't read fiction for the realism. It's OK to write about dragons and faeries and a twelve year old wizard, but we draw the line at two adults falling in love and being kinky?

3. If BDSM isn't your thing in fiction or real life, cool. Don't read it. Don't go to playgrounds or engage in these activities. Personally? It's not my thing. I don't mind it in fiction (again, fiction), but in my day-to-day life, I know it could never be for me. But that doesn't mean it can't be for other people. I have friends who engage in this lifestyle and neither of them is abused or mistreated or are serial killers - it is consensual and safe and sane. And they are adults in a committed relationship. 4. A lot of people criticize that this was once fan fiction. "Bella and Edward porn" is the term most often thrown around. Yes. This once was fan fiction. But so what? I've been part of the fan fiction community for years, decades even. I have several websites where my work is up and I've won awards for my writing from various fandoms and even won a few contests. The process is different for every person, but taking a character from someone else's creation (be it a book, TV show, movie, etc.) and creating a new story, world, interactions for them is work. It is a lot of work and fandoms are a lot less forgiving than bloggers and the general public. It is a whole new level of rabid addiction you cannot imagine if you've never been involved.

So, just to lay a few things out there:1. I read all forms of fiction - young adult, Christian fiction, adult (romance and erotica).2. I've written fan fiction for years.3. I don't hate Fifty Shades of Grey. It's not my favorite book or one I would re-read, but it isn't the Devil's Handbook either.4. I probably will see the movie because ... why not? *shrug*

The highly anticipated third book in Kiera Cass's #1New York
Timesbestselling Selection series,The Onewill captivate readers who love
dystopian YA fiction and fairy tales.The Oneis perfect for the fans who have
followed America's whirlwind romance since it began—and a swoon-worthy read for
teens who have devoured Veronica Roth'sDivergent, Ally Condie'sMatched,
or Lauren Oliver'sDelirium.

The Selectionchanged America Singer's life in ways she never could
have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of
Illéa, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen—and
her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and
she's prepared to fight for the future she wants.

Find out who America will choose inThe One,
the enchanting, beautifully romantic third book in the Selection series!

Review:

I
know what you’re thinking: Hannah
finished a trilogy?

Yeah.
I did. Can I get an “Amen”?

That
being said, I’ve really enjoyed this series, and this was a great way to tie
everything together. Sort of.

The
last in a series is always the hardest review to write, so lemme tell you what
to expect in the most non-spoilerish of ways I can.

The Rebellion: You find out what’s really
going on with the rebels and why, but (like I said with the other books), the
rebellion always feels like an unnecessary plot point just to add more drama to
an already dramatic series. But, this does get resolved.

The Choice: Yes, America makes her choice.
No, I won’t tell you who it is, but I was surprised by the adult nature of her
choice. Impressed, even, if by the end I was more than ready to walk away from
America and her waffling ways.

Look,
if I can finish this series, then you know
it’s gotta be worth it. So read this trilogy by Kiera Cass and let yourself
love it.

Jul 23, 2014

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly waiting to get into our hands.This week I'm waiting on....CAN'T LOOK AWAY

By: Donna CoonerTorrey Grey is famous. At least, on the internet. Thousands of people watch her popular videos on fashion and beauty. But when Torrey's sister is killed in an accident -- maybe because of Torrey and her videos -- Torrey's perfect world implodes.

Now, strangers online are bashing Torrey. And at her new school, she doesn't know who to trust. Is queen bee Blair only being sweet because of Torrey's internet infamy? What about Raylene, who is decidedly unpopular, but seems accepts Torrey for who she is? And then there's Luis, with his brooding dark eyes, whose family runs the local funeral home. Torrey finds herself drawn to Luis, and his fascinating stories about El dio de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead.

As the Day of the Dead draws near, Torrey will have to really look at her own feelings about death, and life, and everything in between. Can she learn to mourn her sister out of the public eye?Why I Want It:I am a huge makeup junkie, and I love watching makeup haul/tutorial/reviews on YouTube. I'm excited to see a book that is about makeup blogger, plus I really enjoy emotionally turbulent contemporaries.

In the beginning was the darkness, and in the
darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret...In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess
Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure
her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to
save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that together,
they could return balance to both their worlds.

Isra wants to help the city’s Banished people,
second-class citizens despised for possessing Monstrous traits. But after she
enlists the aid of her prisoner, Gem, who has been captured while trying to
steal Yuan’s enchanted roses, she begins to care for him, and to question
everything she has been brought up to believe.

As secrets are revealed and Isra’s sight, which
vanished during her childhood, returned, Isra will have to choose between duty
to her people and the beast she has come to love.

Review:

I love Beauty and the Beast when I was a little
girl. Who didn't? Stacy Jay's slightly darker, twisted version but a whole new
perspective on this childhood story that makes me love it even more.

Isra's world under the dome quite the host of
issues. You don't really get an idea of what her city looks like except for the
glimpse when she finally does a walk through. Though, you get the general idea
that it is quite vast and has it's citizen caste areas like any normal city.
The dome itself lacks any real description other than it's glass.

I believe the focus of this book was more on the
characters and their story, which is why the setting wasn't as important. Isra
has lead a lie of a life since she was four only to find out that it was
someone important to her that made her that way. She is a strong woman in all
that she faces and while she may seem childish, she handles it all beautifully.

I loved the relationship build up of her and
Gem. It was somewhat typical but keep in mind the original Beauty and the
Beast. Love conquers all, even in real life. Even though this has a bit of
magic in it, anyone in the real world can see how it applies to our lives.

This reinvented tale of our childhoods puts a
new light to it. It's a wondrous tale that was hard to put down. A little bit
of adventure with lots of love and suspense makes this my favorite tale of an
old story.

It
all began with a ruined elixir and an accidental bolt of lightning…

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental
mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to
be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the
Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for
anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy
that foretells a fiery clash to the death.

Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect
Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating
the Bane to avenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both
Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal.

But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of
falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now,
with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission
and her life.

Review:

Who doesn't love magic, adventure, and of
course, love. Sherry Thomas made an amazing world, somewhat current but yet old
at the same time. Princes and queens with their servants yet modern enough with
trains and boarding schools.

Iolanthe is such an amazing girl, Thomas gave
her so much devotion and courage that I was amazed by her and her adventures.
She was so worried about keeping up appearances, in more ways than one, that
she would let nothing get in her way of what she wanted or needed to do in order
to keep herself and those that mattered to her safe.

Who knew that what she had to go through, at the
hands of Titus, would be such an amazing adventure if not daunting on her part.
When one thinks they have no destiny of any sort of measure and believes
themselves to relatively normal only to have their whole world thrown upside
down by exactly what you thought wouldn't be life changing, you might get a
little mad.

Titus is confusing. He is distant and hard, yet
soft at the same time. He does have feelings but shows them in the oddest ways
sometimes. He never does anything without purpose and has plans for everything.
Even if he doesn't expect something, in an instant he had a plan. He is quite
comical when faced with a conundrum. He goes into a nervous mess while trying
to help himself and sometimes it is best to trust your friends and let things
happen.

Thomas created a magical world with adventures
that set your mind spinning. I could read this fast enough and cannot wait for
the next book.

Jane Montjoy is tired of being a lady. She's tired of pretending to live
up to the standards of her mother's noble family-especially now that the
family's wealth is gone and their stately mansion has fallen to ruin. It's hard
enough that she must tend to the animals and find a way to feed her mother and
her little sister each day. Jane's burden only gets worse after her mother
returns from a trip to town with a new stepfather and stepsister in tow.
Despite the family's struggle to prepare for the long winter ahead, Jane's
stepfather remains determined to give his beautiful but spoiled child her every
desire.

When her stepfather suddenly dies, leaving
nothing but debts and a bereaved daughter behind, it seems to Jane that her
family is destined for eternal unhappiness. But a mysterious boy from the woods
and an invitation to a royal ball are certain to change her fate...

From the handsome prince to the evil stepsister,
nothing is quite as it seems in Tracy Barrett's stunning retelling of the
classic Cinderella tale.

Review:

This
is one of those books I went into a little curious about, but ultimately got
swept away in a fantastical fantasy world. THE STEPSISTER’S TALE is truly a
fairytale for more grown up people, and Tracy Barrett does a brilliant job of
bringing the storied tale of Cinderella
to life in a whole new way.

I’m
a huge fan of de-villainizing a villain. I love seeing a character typically
written off as bad become reformed and a heroine. Jane is just such a
character. Seeing the humanity of Jane, of seeing the conditions she was
growing up in while her mother was simply more and more disillusioned, was
heartbreaking.

I
think the true brilliance of Barrett’s writing is that while she has completely
twisted the Cinderella tale I knew as a child, she is still able to keep the
reader entranced with that childlike wonder and purity of a story that drew me
to fairy tales in the first place. The magic is still very much here (not the
talking/sewing mice, although she does make a nod to several characters in brilliant
ways), but it’s a grown up magic.

I
started this book the afternoon I got it in the mail and finished it the same
evening. It is a fast, cleansing read that I cannot recommend enough. Flowing
prose and fantastic narration drive this original plot to the very end.